9 Best Winter Fruits and Their Health Benefits

Do you feel winter means less fresh fruits? It couldn’t be more opposite! Winter fruits are as numerous and possibly more nutritious than their summer counterparts. Here are the 9 best winter fruits and what they can do for your health

*For all the following fruits, I have included the glycemic scale ranking. Please note that to maintain healthy sugar levels, experts recommend collectively consuming a total scale of 100 or less per day

The 9 Best Winter Fruits

1. Grapefruits, oranges, and mandarins (Oh My!)

One thing I was surprised to see when looking at the nutrients of these fruits was that they are very low on the glycemic scale. While they do tend to be a bit higher than some others in actual fructose content a whole Naval orange is only ranked as a 5 on the glycemic scale (out of 250) (5)

I know the first thing that pops into everyone’s heads when hearing about citruses is of course LOTS of vitamin C. Vitamin C is needed for many functions in the body, not just for fighting off colds.

Vitamin C is needed for the biosynthesis of collagen. Collagen is essential for wound healing (4)

Vitamin C is needed for protein synthesis

It also plays a vital role in iron absorption

It’s not hard to see why these fruits are so very important.

2. Kiwi

Kiwis, otherwise know as Chinese gooseberries, are a powerful little fruit. Just one fruit ranks a glycemic scale of 4 and contains 11% of daily fiber, 50% of Vitamin K and 141% of Vitamin C!! (6)

3. Dates

Dates are also know as natures candy. You may have seen date paste listed as a wonderful addition to your baked treats. For this and many other reasons they are great to have around

Dates are a bit high in the glycemic scale. One of these little fruits ranks a 9 on the glycemic scale (7), so it’s probably best not to consume too many in a sitting.

They also don’t contain much in the way of vitamins and minerals. But as mentioned above, they are like candy just without the processed sugar, so if you’re trying to kick that sugar habit, they can help with those cravings.

4. Persimmon

Persimmons are considered to be a berry….a very large berry (2). There are quite a few different varieties but the nutrients are similar no matter what type you try.

Like most fruits, they are a good source of vitamin C. Their orange color promises a healthy dose of vitamin A, which is great for eye health. They also have substantial amounts of vitamin E, K, B6, and Folate (1). Plus, just one of these berries gives you 25% of your daily fiber intake!

5. Cranberries

Most notably, cranberries are known for helping with urinary tract infections. It is said that drinking cranberry juice will get rid of an infection, however, most cranberry juice contains a lot of sugar, as the berry itself is fairly bitter. The berry is where the REAL power is at. The berry contains enzymes that keeps bacteria from sticking to the walls of the bladder (11).

Cranberries have a deep red color which indicates powerful antioxidant protection. They also aid in liver detoxification and stomach health. These incredible berries have a glycemic load of only 2 per cup of raw berries (10) so feel free to load up on them!

6. Pomegranate

This popular super fruit is known primarily for its high antioxidant levels. What you probably didn’t know is that the seeds are a good source of Omega 6 fatty acids. The body cannot make Omega oils so it is essential to get them from food. Omega 6 plays a big role in brain development and function (8)

Here’s the trick though….Most people skip the fruit and go straight for the pomegranate juice. The juice does not contain any omegas. All the healthy oils are found in the teeny tiny seeds in the center of each littler juicy kernel.

So next time you want to indulge in a pomegranate, skip the juice and go straight for the fruit!

A half cup serving of pomegranate ranks a 5 on the glycemic scale.

7. Grapes

Both red and green grapes are good sources of vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C, vitamin K, Copper, and Potassium. One cup of grapes is on average a 9 on the glycemic scale and contains about 5% of your recommended daily fiber. (12)

8. Pear

Did you know that eating a pear a day may reduce the risk of having a stroke by 52%? That’s pretty significant! (13) The inner fruit is of course important, but in the case of a pear, the skin is actually the real star of this fruit. It contains about half of the fiber content and many enzymes that are considered anti-inflammatory and anti-cancerous. (14)

There are many varieties of pears out there. Eaten raw, one medium sized pear contains quite a bit of fiber; about 22%. It ranks about a 6 on the glycemic scale (15).

9. Banana

Bananas may be my favorite of this list, not for the flavor, but for what they can do. They are an excellent natural source of electrolytes Magnesium and Potassium, which are very important for water absorption in the muscles (which will prevent muscle fatigue and cramps). Electrolytes also aid in relieving diarrhea, also by maintaining water levels in the colon.

One banana also has about 30% of the daily Manganese needed. Manganese helps the body form connective tissue and bones, and plays a big role in calcium absorption. It is needed for brain and nerve function, and blood sugar regulation. (17)

Bananas are high on the glycemic scale, ranking an 18 for one whole banana.

In Conclusion

As, you can see, winter fruits pack a strong punch in the nutrient department! No wonder it’s so important to eat at least 2-3 servings of fruit every day. Don’t despair for your fruit cravings when winter rolls around. Eat a good balance of these natural gems and stay healthy all year round!

Hi! I'm Ashley, otherwise known as the Cold Texan. My goal is to help you realize and reach your health and fitness goals. I believe a healthy lifestyle shouldn't be about sacrifice, but about finding what works for you and makes you excited to continue on that path.

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